Ambulance ‘explodes’ in dramatic fire on A130 near Benfleet, sending thick smoke into the sky

Explosions rocked parts of Benfleet this evening near to the A130, after an ambulance burst into flames, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky.

Nearby residents and drivers on the A130 described hearing multiple blasts coming from the vehicle.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, as the ambulance was quickly consumed by flames.

Ambulances carry a significant fire risk due to the presence of oxygen cylinders, which are essential for patient care but can cause catastrophic explosions when exposed to extreme heat.

The blaze is thought to have started in the ambulance’s engine bay before spreading rapidly to the rear, where oxygen tanks are stored. As the fire intensified, the heat could have caused the cylinders to explode in what is known as a boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion – a phenomenon where pressure builds inside a heated container until it ruptures violently.

The explosions were so intense that they were felt across the local area. Candice Shelton, who lives nearby, described the moment, saying: “My whole room shook! I thought something had landed on my roof!” Meanwhile, Tamara Sian, added: “The explosions were so loud my place shook in Benfleet!”

A previous incident in 2022 saw an ambulance station in Thurrock destroyed when oxygen cylinders exploded, fuelling a massive fire that consumed multiple vehicles.